Michigan

Muskegon Civic Theatre cast members rehearse a scene from "The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays," MCT's upcoming holiday show, which will debuts at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 at the Beardsley Theater. Pictured in front from left to right are: Sarah Sternburgh, F. Remington Sprague, and Erin Madalyn Mickelson. In back, from left to right, are: Helen Sherman, Brian J. Reeds, and Justin Sternburgh.
(Alan Carson, Tourcotte/CT Gallery)

MUSKEGON, MI – A holiday-themed "whodunit" will take place
on the Beardsley Theater stage when Muskegon Civic Theatre debuts Ken Ludwig's "The
Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays" at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22.

An eight-person cast will take on the comedy murder mystery
at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. every Sunday from
Nov. 22 to Dec. 8. There will not, however, be a performance on Thanksgiving
Day, Nov. 28.

Those familiar with Ludwig's work know that the playwright
is a "skillful master at comedy," said director Kirk Wahamaki. But "The Game's
Afoot" is unlike most of Ludwig's work, he said.

"This is a murder mystery first of all," Wahamaki said. "It's
very different from most of his comedies."

The show is set in December 1936. William Gillette, a
Broadway star known for his leading role in the play "Sherlock Holmes" invites
his cast mates over to his Connecticut castle for "a weekend of revelry," according
to a press release.

However, the celebration is cut short when one of the guests
is stabbed to death. Gillette assumes the role of Sherlock Holmes in an attempt
to track the killer before he or she strikes again.

Gillette is based on the real-life actor of the same name,
who was also best known for his role in the play "Sherlock Holmes," Wahamaki
said. Like the character, Gillette owned a castle in Connecticut. Although the
setting and protagonist are based in reality, the play's action is fictional,
Wahamaki said, but still intriguing.

"It's a very challenging whodunit because throughout the
show there are items that make each character seem like 'well, they might have
been able to do it,'" he said.

Despite the plot's twists and turns, the play is still very
funny, Wahamaki said, and contains "everything from some absolute slapstick
humor to very, very clever humor."

"It's a very fun piece and we have a great talented cast, so
it's very good," he said.

Armchair detectives in the audience will have a chance to
see if their theories pan out with "Game On!" an audience participation
component of the production.

Those who correctly figure out the killer's identity could
win a gift certificate for two tickets for one of MCT's upcoming productions: "Time
Stands Still," "The Dixie Swim Club" and "Legally Blonde the Musical."

At each performance, MCT will give audience members game
cards with the characters' photos on them. During intermission, theater-goers
can participate by circling the photo of the character they believe to be the
villain. After filling out their contact information, participants can drop
their cards in a collection box near the entrance.

The cards that correctly guess the murderer will be entered
into a drawing for the gift certificate. Each weekend, MCT will draw one card.

Tickets for "The Game's Afoot" cost $19 for adults and $17
for students and seniors. They are available at the Frauenthal's box office,
which is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Theater-goers can also
purchase tickets by calling 1-800-585-3737 or by visiting www.muskegoncivictheatre.org or
any Star Tickets outlet.

Group discounts are also available for those who purchase 20
or more tickets by contacting MCT's office.

For more information about the production, visit MCT's website
or call its office at (231) 722-3852.